Gas hub protesters accused of damaging sacred sites

Protesters have been preventing Woodside vehicles from entering the gas hub site

Ben Collins: ABC Local

The Kimberley Land Council has lodged a formal complaint with the Western Australian Government, accusing protesters of damaging sacred sites as they camp near James Price Point.

The protesters have been blockading the road to the site chosen for the $30 billion gas plant for 13 days, preventing Woodside vehicles from entering.

The Kimberley Land Council, which negotiated a $1.5 billion deal on behalf of local Aboriginal families, has called on them to end their protest.

Council director Wayne Bergmann says it has lodged a complaint with the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA), saying the protesters have breached the Heritage Act.

"These people claim to have respect for Aboriginal culture and now they've gone and dug toilet holes right in registered Aboriginal sites, right where there are tool fragments and shell middens," he said.

"It's just outrageous."

The council says the department needs to send up extra staff to ensure a full investigation.

Protest leader Joseph Roe says the group is using chemical toilets and has an arrangement with the Broome Shire for their rubbish to be collected.

He says Mr Bergmann should visit the protest site to see for himself.

"Well if he's complaining about toilets then something's not right, we set up here with chemical toilets, with rubbish collecting being taking away," he said.

"Maybe he should come out and take some photos of the toilets before he starts putting in pieces of paper to DIA complaining.

"He should come out here and have a look before he starts making allegations."

Mr Roe recently lodged a complaint of his own with the Department of Indidgenous Affairs.

A department employee will arrive this afternoon to inspect sand dunes reportedly damaged by Woodside.